(Chicago, IL) - Half Acre announced the details of this year's Big Hugs release on their blog last night. Here are the details...

"Did you hear it’s the end of the world? Maybe in your rush to get groceries, you missed the news. It’s the end of the whole thing. You, me, the fishes in the ocean, the masses scurrying all over this orb of muck and water, we’re all going to edge into darkness and disappear into infinity. At a time when prophecy is rich and gigantic black beers are rife with evil, doom, and apocalyptic promises – we bring you the force of cute that knows not what he does. Whether you’re gearing up for the end or ramping up for all that’s to come, challenge sleeps at all our feet, and this year even the punisher of purr is squaring off with his rival of maniacal mechanical mayhem, MechaHugs. The force is out for us all, so dig in and size up your foes – arm yourself with Big Hugs Imperial Stout. The dim kitten is descending from the ether and bumbling through another year of robust and good intentioned destruction while finding his way to your insides. Brewed to hush your holidays, summoned to slice your inhibitions and fold you into the fur, Big Hugs Imperial Stout is the flouncing feline to pull you down into mortal embrace. Jet black magma birthed with liquid lightning, Big Hugs Imperial Stout is our gift to you.

How do you get your hands on the Hugs? We’ll be releasing the beast on Sunday, December 16th at 11 AM. Similar to last year, we’ll have a cash line in addition to the standard check out method in the store. Below are the prices, which include tax.

$12 per 22 oz bottle (limit 6 bottles per person)

$22 per 64 oz growler refill, $27 for a new growler fill (limit 1 per person)

$12 per 32 oz howler refill, $17 for a new howler fill (limit 2 per person)

As always, we brewed Big Hugs with Dark Matter Coffee, and they’ll be on hand with coffee for the release, plus food being provided by our friends at Co-Op Sauce. New to the Big Hugs release will be draft pours, which you can find in our tap room on the day of the release.

And as if that’s not enough, there will also be full-color posters of this year’s label available in addition to other new and surprising swag to comfort you in the last days of civilization.

Please note, the brewery, store and tap room will all be CLOSED on December 17th for our holiday celebration."